Archives for June 2012
New professional dancer for Strictly 2012
Karen Hauer, 30, has been confirmed as a brand new professional dancer for Strictly Come Dancing 2012 when it returns this autumn.
Most recently Karen starred as a principal dancer in the hit show 'Burn The Floor'. She is a ballroom dancer from Valencia, Venezuela who moved to New York when she was eight years old.
Karen is trained as a dancer and choreographer and has worked with some of the biggest stars in the world, including Jennifer Lopez. She has won numerous ballroom awards including World Mambo Champion in 2008 and Professional American Rhythm Rising Star Champion in 2009.
Karen Hauer
Karen on joining Strictly: "If I could dance how I feel about joining Strictly - then you'd be able to see how excited I am!"
Karen completes the sparkling line-up of professionals who are: Aliona Vilani, Erin Boag, Flavia Cacace, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Lowe, Ola Jordan, Anton Du Beke, Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Robin Windsor and Vincent Simone.
Venezuelan mambo champion Karen Hauer joins Strictly Come Dancing
Venezuelan dancer Karen Hauer is to join the professional line-up of Strictly Come Dancing when the show returns in the autumn.
Karen Hauer has joined the line-up of Strictly Come Dancing as the newest professional (Picture: Getty Images)
The 30-year-old, who comes to the show from the touring production of dance spectacular Burn The Floor, will replace Canadian dancers Katya Virshilas, who was revealed to be leaving the show earlier this week.
Karen, who was born in Venezuela and grew up in New York, first found fame on the US version of So You Think You Can Dance.
She has gone on to win numerous ballroom awards including being crowned World Mambo Champion in 2008 - and has worked with stars including Jennifer Lopez.
Karen Hauer previously appeared on So You Think You Can Dance US (Picture: PA)
Karen said of the show, 'If I could dance how I feel about joining Strictly, you'd see how excited I am!'
And she later tweeted her appreciation, saying: 'Thank you so much for all the 'welcome to Strictly' messages...I can't wait to get my tweet on!'
Karen is replacing Canadian dancer Katya Virshilas, who will be the only professional not returning next series (Picture: BBC)
Karen will be the only new professional to join Strictly when it returns later this year.
All the other dancers from last year's series will return, including regulars Brendan Cole, Vincent Simone, Anton du Beke, Artem Chigvintsev and Robin Windsor. Married couple James and Ola Jordan will also be back, despite rumours that they would be facing the axe in a series shake-up.
Last year's professional champion Aliona Vilani will also be back to defend her title, as will runner-up Pasha Kovalev, who made his debut last year.
Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent winner Ashleigh Butler is the latest celebrity rumoured to be taking part in the show this year - even though it will mean living performing pooch Pudsey at home.
The 17-year-old reportedly told the Star: 'I'd love to do Strictly. It would be nice to show people who I am.'
